System and method for selecting paint compositions based on expected paint application conditions

ABSTRACT

Expert system and method for computing an adjustment procedure for obtaining an adjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to be painted at a paint application site on a specific date. A starting exterior waterborne paint composition comprises base chemical compounds. When one or more computed target values of target chemical compounds for the adjusted exterior waterborne paint composition are determined different from the plurality of base values, the adjustment procedure is computed for transforming the starting exterior waterborne paint composition into the adjusted exterior paint composition and instructions comprising the adjustment procedure are sent to a remote device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/339,576, filed Apr. 4, 2019, which is a U.S. National PhaseApplication under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/CA2016/051156, filed Oct. 4, 2016, which is incorporated byreference as if expressly set forth in its entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a paint compositions and, moreparticularly, to different exterior paint compositions.

BACKGROUND

Exterior waterborne paint compositions are prepared for applicationunder ideal conditions typically provided as “normal condition” with theinstructions on the paint container itself. Unfortunately, the actualconditions are rarely ideal and exterior waterborne paint compositionare too often not achieving expected performance or properties (e.g.,application is difficult or impossible and/or film formation is hindered(e.g., not entirely completed) or prevented).

The present invention addresses this shortcoming.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to an expert systemfor computing an adjustment procedure for obtaining an adjusted exteriorwaterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to be painted at apaint application site. The system comprises a non-transitory memory, aprocessing module, a network interface module and different sets ofsoftware instructions stored in the non-transitory memory. Thenon-transitory memory comprises at least one record corresponding to astarting exterior waterborne paint composition comprising a plurality ofbase chemical compounds, a base value being associated with each one ofthe plurality of base chemical compounds in the starting exteriorwaterborne paint composition. The processing module comprises one ormore processors. The network interface module comprises one or morephysical network interface.

A first of the sets of software instructions, stored in thenon-transitory memory, when executed by the processing module, obtainenvironmental conditions for the paint application site at geographicalcoordinates considering a request received for the paint applicationsite through the network interface module from a remote device, theenvironmental conditions comprising relative humidity data for thegeographical coordinates and temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates. A second of the sets of software instructions, stored inthe non-transitory memory, when executed by the processing module,compute, based on the relative humidity data for the geographicalcoordinates, the temperature data for the geographical coordinates andsubstrate identification data for the exterior surface to be painted, atarget value for each of a plurality of target chemical compounds in anadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for the exterior surfaceto be painted. A third of the sets of software instructions, stored inthe non-transitory memory, when executed by the processing module,determine when the plurality of target values is different from theplurality of base values. A fourth of the set of software instructions,stored in the non-transitory memory, when executed by the processingmodule upon determination that plurality of target values is differentfrom the plurality of base values compute an adjustment procedure fortransforming the starting exterior waterborne paint composition into theadjusted exterior paint composition for the exterior surface to bepainted and send instructions, through the network interface module tothe remote device, comprising the adjustment procedure for obtaining theadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition from the startingexterior waterborne paint composition for the exterior surface to bepainted.

Optionally, computing the plurality of target values each associatedwith one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjustedexterior paint composition may be performed considering an expected timeof application. The expert system may further comprise a fifth set ofsoftware instructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, that, whenexecuted by the processing module, obtain surface characteristics forthe exterior surface to be painted with the adjusted exterior paintcomposition at the paint application site, the surface characteristicscomprising the substrate identification data, sun position data for thegeographical coordinates, a geographical alignment value of the exteriorsurface to be painted and an expected surface temperature for theexterior surface to be painted.

Optionally, computing the plurality of target values each associatedwith one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjustedexterior paint composition further comprises measuring an actual surfacetemperature or computing an expected surface temperature value of thesurface characteristics for the exterior surface considering therelative humidity data at the geographical coordinates and thetemperature data for the geographical coordinates.

The environmental conditions may optionally further comprise, for thegeographical coordinates, sun position data and expected cloud coveragedata and computing the expected surface temperature value may then beperformed further considering an expected time of application, the sunposition data and the expected cloud coverage data (e.g., consideringcloud coverage data from radar forecast, based on probability ofprecipitation forecast percentage, degree days forecast, etc.). Theenvironmental conditions may further comprise, for the geographicalcoordinates, wind speed value and wind orientation value and computingthe plurality of target values each associated with one of the pluralityof target chemical compounds in the adjusted exterior paint compositionmay then further comprise computing the expected surface temperaturevalue of the surface characteristics for the exterior surfaceconsidering the relative humidity data at the geographical coordinates,the temperature data for the geographical coordinates, the wind speedvalue at the geographical coordinates, the wind orientation value at thegeographical coordinates and the geographical alignment value.

Optionally, the expert system may also be for transforming the startingexterior paint composition (e.g., a different container of the samecomposition or a different starting composition for a differentsubstrate) into a second adjusted exterior paint composition for asecond exterior surface to be painted at the paint application site atthe geographical coordinates. The expert system may then furthercomprise a sixth and seventh sets of software instructions, stored inthe non-transitory memory. The sixth set of software instructions, whenexecuted by the processing module, compute, based on the environmentalconditions and substrate identification data for the second exteriorsurface to be painted, a second plurality of target values eachassociated with one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in thesecond adjusted exterior paint composition for the second exteriorsurface to be painted. The seventh set of software instructions, whenexecuted by the processing module upon determination that the secondplurality of target values is different from the plurality of basevalues compute at the processing module of the expert system a secondadjustment procedure for transforming the starting exterior paintcomposition into the second adjusted exterior paint composition for thesecond exterior surface to be painted. The instructions sent from theprocessing module of the expert system to the remote device may thenfurther comprise a second adjustment procedure for obtaining the secondadjusted exterior paint composition from the starting exterior paintcomposition for the second exterior surface to be painted.

Optionally, obtaining the surface characteristics may further compriseobtaining the surface characteristics for the second exterior surface tobe painted with the second adjusted exterior paint composition at thepaint application site, the surface characteristics comprising thesecond substrate identification data, a second geographical alignmentvalue and a second expected surface temperature for the second exteriorsurface to be painted. Computing the second plurality of target valueseach associated with one of the plurality of target chemical compoundsin the second adjusted exterior paint composition may optionally furthercomprise computing the second expected surface temperature value of thesurface characteristics for the second exterior surface considering therelative humidity data at the geographical coordinates, the temperaturedata for the geographical coordinates and the second geographicalalignment value for the second exterior surfaces. The environmentalconditions may further comprise wind speed value at the geographicalcoordinates and wind orientation value at the geographical coordinatesand computing the plurality of second target values each associated withone of the plurality of target chemical compounds in the second adjustedexterior paint composition may then further comprise computing thesecond expected surface temperature value of the surface characteristicsthe second exterior surface considering the relative humidity data atthe geographical coordinates, the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates, the wind speed value at the geographical coordinates, thewind orientation value at the geographical coordinates and thegeographical alignment value for the second exterior surface.

The expert system may optionally further an eighth set of softwareinstructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, that, when executedby the processing module, associate a tolerance interval with each ofthe plurality of target values, wherein the plurality of target valuesis determined different from the plurality of base values when at leastone base value from the plurality of base values is outside of thecorresponding tolerance interval. The plurality of associated toleranceinterval may be a relative value established in relation to the startingexterior paint composition, the adjusted exterior paint composition andthe associated target value or a corresponding base value. One or moreof the plurality of associated tolerance interval may be an absolutevolumetric value established in relation to a volume of a container ofthe starting exterior paint composition.

Optionally, the adjustment procedure may provide one or more volumetricvalues for one or more corresponding adjustment compounds for theplurality of target values to be determined equivalent to the pluralityof base values. The plurality of target values may be determinedequivalent to the plurality of base values when each of the plurality ofbase values is within the corresponding tolerance interval. A ninth setof software instructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, mayoptionally be provided that, when executed by the processing module,obtain a volume of a container for the starting exterior paintcomposition, wherein the adjustment one or more volumetric values areabsolute volumetric values for each the corresponding adjustmentcompounds.

Optionally, the temperature data for the geographical coordinates may beprovided as a temperature data range. Optionally, the expectedtemperature value may be provided as a temperature value range.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a method fortransforming a starting exterior waterborne paint composition comprisinga plurality of base chemical compounds into an adjusted exteriorwaterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to be painted, abase value being associated with each one of the plurality of basechemical compounds in the starting exterior waterborne paintcomposition. The method comprises, at a processing module of an expertsystem, obtaining environmental conditions for a paint application siteat geographical coordinates, the environmental conditions comprisingrelative humidity data for the geographical coordinates and temperaturedata for the geographical coordinates. The method also comprisescomputing at the processing module of the expert system, based on therelative humidity data for the geographical coordinates, the temperaturedata for the geographical coordinates and substrate identification datafor the exterior surface to be painted, a target value for each of aplurality of target chemical compounds in the adjusted exteriorwaterborne paint composition for the exterior surface to be painted.When the plurality of target values is determined different from theplurality of base values, the method follows with computing at theprocessing module of the expert system an adjustment procedure fortransforming the starting exterior waterborne paint composition into theadjusted exterior paint composition for the exterior surface to bepainted and, from the processing module of the expert system, sendinginstructions to a remote device comprising the adjustment procedure forobtaining the adjusted exterior waterborne paint composition from thestarting exterior waterborne paint composition for the exterior surfaceto be painted.

Optionally, the plurality of target values each associated with one ofthe plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjusted exteriorpaint composition is performed considering an expected time ofapplication.

The method may further optionally comprise, at the processing module ofthe expert system, obtaining surface characteristics for the exteriorsurface to be painted with the adjusted exterior paint composition atthe paint application site, the surface characteristics comprising thesubstrate identification data, sun position data for the geographicalcoordinates, a geographical alignment value of the exterior surface tobe painted and an expected surface temperature for the exterior surfaceto be painted.

Optionally, computing the plurality of target values each associatedwith one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjustedexterior paint composition further comprises computing an expectedsurface temperature value of the surface characteristics for theexterior surface considering the relative humidity data at thegeographical coordinates and the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates. The environmental conditions may further comprise, for thegeographical coordinates, sun position data and expected cloud coveragedata and wherein computing the expected surface temperature value isperformed further considering an expected time of application, the sunposition data and the expected cloud coverage data.

The environmental conditions may further comprise, for the geographicalcoordinates, wind speed value and wind orientation value and computingthe plurality of target values each associated with one of the pluralityof target chemical compounds in the adjusted exterior paint compositionmay optionally further comprise computing the expected surfacetemperature value of the surface characteristics for the exteriorsurface considering the relative humidity data at the geographicalcoordinates, the temperature data for the geographical coordinates, thewind speed value at the geographical coordinates, the wind orientationvalue at the geographical coordinates and the geographical alignmentvalue.

The method may optionally further be for transforming the startingexterior paint composition into a second adjusted exterior paintcomposition for a second exterior surface to be painted at the paintapplication site at the geographical coordinates and may then furthercomprise computing at the processing module of the expert system, basedon the environmental conditions and substrate identification data forthe second exterior surface to be painted, a second plurality of targetvalues each associated with one of the plurality of target chemicalcompounds in the second adjusted exterior paint composition for thesecond exterior surface to be painted. When the second plurality oftarget values is determined different from the plurality of base values,the method continues with computing at the processing module of theexpert system a second adjustment procedure for transforming thestarting exterior paint composition into the second adjusted exteriorpaint composition for the second exterior surface to be painted. Theinstructions sent from the processing module of the expert system to theremote device may then further comprise a second adjustment procedurefor obtaining the second adjusted exterior paint composition from thestarting exterior paint composition for the second exterior surface tobe painted.

Obtaining the surface characteristics may optionally comprises obtainingthe surface characteristics for the second exterior surface to bepainted with the second adjusted exterior paint composition at the paintapplication site, the surface characteristics comprising the secondsubstrate identification data, a second geographical alignment value anda second expected surface temperature for the second exterior surface tobe painted.

Optionally, computing the second plurality of target values eachassociated with one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in thesecond adjusted exterior paint composition may further comprisecomputing the second expected surface temperature value of the surfacecharacteristics for the second exterior surface considering the relativehumidity data at the geographical coordinates, the temperature data forthe geographical coordinates and the second geographical alignment valuefor the second exterior surfaces. The environmental conditions may thenfurther comprise wind speed value at the geographical coordinates andwind orientation value at the geographical coordinates and computing theplurality of second target values each associated with one of theplurality of target chemical compounds in the second adjusted exteriorpaint composition may further comprise computing the second expectedsurface temperature value of the surface characteristics the secondexterior surface considering the relative humidity data at thegeographical coordinates, the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates, the wind speed value at the geographical coordinates, thewind orientation value at the geographical coordinates and thegeographical alignment value for the second exterior surface.

The method may optionally further comprise, at the processing module ofthe expert system, associating a tolerance interval with each of theplurality of target values, wherein the plurality of target values isdetermined different from the plurality of base values when at least onebase value from the plurality of base values is outside of thecorresponding tolerance interval. Optionally, the plurality ofassociated tolerance interval is a relative value established inrelation to the starting exterior paint composition, the adjustedexterior paint composition and the associated target value or acorresponding base value. Optionally, one or more of the plurality ofassociated tolerance interval is an absolute volumetric valueestablished in relation to a volume of a container of the startingexterior paint composition.

The adjustment procedure may optionally provide one or more volumetricvalues for one or more corresponding adjustment compounds for theplurality of target values to be determined equivalent to the pluralityof base values. The plurality of target values may then be determinedequivalent to the plurality of base values when each of the plurality ofbase values is within the corresponding tolerance interval. Optionally,the method may comprise obtaining a volume of a container for thestarting exterior paint composition, wherein the adjustment one or morevolumetric values are absolute volumetric values for each thecorresponding adjustment compounds.

Optionally, the temperature data for the geographical coordinates isprovided as a temperature data range. Optionally, the expectedtemperature value is provided as a temperature value range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and exemplary advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a module representation of an exemplary system in accordancewith the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method in accordance with theteachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow and nodal operation chart in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It has been noticed that normal conditions of exterior paint applicationprescribed by exterior waterborne paint composition providers cannoteasily be respected while allowing painters to have a reasonable workschedule. For instance, during hot days, the exterior paint could onlybe applied early in the morning, provided that dew is not present on thesurface to be painted and/or late at night, provided that the surface tobe painted has cooled enough by then. A similar situation happens duringcooler days when exterior paint can only be applied when the surface hasbeen sufficiently heated. Many painters/painting companies, therefore,apply exterior paint under different conditions that are less thanideal, causing exterior painted surfaces to exhibit issues such as unduepeeling and/or discoloring.

The present invention generally relates to a system and a method forselecting between different starting exterior waterborne paintcompositions and/or for selectively adjusting an exterior waterbornepaint composition in accordance with expected conditions of applicationon a specific date. A starting exterior waterborne paint composition isprovided with baseline-application conditions. The present inventionrelies on the possibility of adjusting, from the baseline-applicationconditions, for expected-application conditions on a specific time orday of application by selectively adding one or more chemical compoundsto the starting exterior paint composition in order to obtain anadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for that day or time.Final proportion(s) of the added chemical compound(s) in the adjustedexterior waterborne paint composition may be set within establishedtolerance intervals. A usual volume of starting exterior waterbornepaint composition may be used to determine an actual volume to be addedfor each chemical compound. Different starting exterior waterborne paintcompositions may also be provided and the method and system maytherefore indicate which one of the starting exterior waterborne paintcompositions is to be used and whether it is to be used withoutmodification or actual volume(s) to be added for one or more chemicalcompounds.

The expected conditions comprise exterior substrate identification dataand environmental conditions expected for a predetermined applicationday and/or time at which the exterior waterborne paint is expected to beapplied. The expected conditions may also comprise application equipmentcharacteristics (e.g., spray, brush, and roller), exterior substrateidentification data including identification of a composition of theexterior surface (e.g., aluminum, plastic, wood and the like and/orprevious surface treatment characteristics) and geographicalcharacteristics of the exterior surface including spatial alignmentthereof. The environmental conditions may be obtained from forecast(s)and/or actual measurement(s). Examples of environmental conditionsinclude weather conditions (e.g., air temperature and/or surfacetemperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and cloudcoverage) and sun position. In some embodiments, the expected conditionsare determined only once and, accordingly, the starting exterior paintcomposition is selected/adjusted once. In other embodiments, theexpected conditions are determined more than once (e.g., 24 hours beforethe application, when arriving on site and at the time of theapplication) and the starting exterior paint composition is adjustedmore than once (while the starting exterior paint composition may beselected only once when more than one is available). As conditionschange during application, the adjusted exterior paint composition maysometimes be adjusted again during application.

Reference is now made to the drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a logicalmodular view of an exemplary expert system 1100 is depicted. The expertsystem 1100 is for computing an adjustment procedure for obtaining anadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for an exterior surfaceto be painted at a paint application site on a specific date. The expertsystem comprises a processing module 1130, a memory module 1120 and astorage system 1500. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, a networkedgroup of computers 1000 comprises the expert system 1100. The networkedgroup of computers 1000 is depicted with additional remote devices 1200and 1300 that may send one or more request to the expert system 1100.The remote devices and the expert system 1100, 1200 and 1300 may beconnected via a network 1400, via direct connections or a mix of directand network connections. Various network links may be implicitly orexplicitly used in the context of the present invention. While a linkmay be depicted as a wireless link, it could also be embodied as a wiredlink using a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, a category 5 cable, andthe like. A wired or wireless access point (not shown) may be present onlinks. Likewise, any number of routers and/or switches (not shown) maybe present on links, which may further transit through the Internet.

The processing module(s) 1130, 1230 and/or 1330 may represent a singleprocessor with one or more processor cores or an array of processors,each comprising one or more processor cores. The memory module 1120 maycomprise various types of memory (different standardized or kinds ofRandom Access Memory (RAM) modules, memory cards, Read-Only Memory (ROM)modules, programmable ROM, etc.). The network interface module 1140represents at least one physical interface that can be used tocommunicate with other network nodes. The network interface module 1140may be made visible to the other modules of the computer system 1100through one or more logical interfaces. The actual stacks of protocolsused by the physical network interface(s) and/or logical networkinterface(s) 1142, 1144, 1146, 1148 of the network interface module 1140do not affect the teachings of the present invention. The variants ofprocessing module 1130, memory module 1120 and network interface module1140 usable in the context of the present invention will be readilyapparent to persons skilled in the art.

A bus 1170 is depicted as an example of means for exchanging databetween the different modules of the computer system 1100. The presentinvention is not affected by the way the different modules exchangeinformation between them. For instance, the memory module 1120 and theprocessing module 1130 could be connected by a parallel bus, but couldalso be connected by a serial connection or involve an intermediatemodule (not shown) without affecting the teachings of the presentinvention.

Likewise, even though explicit mentions of the memory module 1120 and/orthe processing module 1130, or explicit mentions of other modules in thecomputer systems 1200 and 1300, are not made throughout the descriptionof the various embodiments, persons skilled in the art will readilyrecognize that such modules are used in conjunction with other modulesof the computer system 1100, 1200 and/or 1300 to perform routine as wellas innovative steps related to the present invention. Similarly, twosystems 1100 and 1200 or 1300 may be involved for obtaining an adjustedexterior waterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to bepainted at a paint application site.

In some embodiments, the expert system 1100 may comprise a dedicatedpaint compositions module 1132 dedicated to storing paint compositiondata and/or computing paint compositions. In other embodiments,alternatively or in addition, functions of the paint compositions module1132 are shared with the processing module 1130 and the storage system1500 (e.g., the paint compositions module 1132 is a sub-module of theprocessing module 1130). For instance, the paint composition module maycomprise and/or manage access to data records for one or more startingexterior paint compositions comprising resin chemistry data, surfactantscharacteristics, wetting agents characteristics and/or flow agentscharacteristics. The paint composition module may also comprise and/ormanage access to data records for a plurality of adjusted exterior paintcompositions comprising resin chemistry data, surfactantscharacteristics, wetting agents characteristics and/or flow agentscharacteristics. The adjusted exterior paint compositions may compriseone or more tolerance values for relative humidity in relation totemperature (e.g., air temperature or surface temperature). Forinstance, the tolerance values may be expressed as a range of relativehumidity and temperatures that represent for proper applicationconditions for the adjusted exterior paint composition. The tolerancevalues may comprise more than one range (e.g., recommended conditions,acceptable conditions, non-acceptable conditions). The tolerance valuesare set in order to maintain appropriate flow characteristics of theadjusted exterior paint composition (i.e., avoid low of flow andexcessive flow) and maintain appropriate drying characteristics of theadjusted exterior paint composition (i.e., allow a film to appropriatelyform and appropriately adhere to the substrate).

In some embodiments, the expert system 1100 may comprise a dedicatedenvironmental conditions module 1134 dedicated to storing, computingand/or obtaining environmental conditions data. In other embodiments,alternatively or in addition, functions of the environmental conditionsmodule 1134 are shared with the processing module 1130 and the storagesystem 1500 (e.g., the environmental conditions module 1134 is asub-module of the processing module 1130). Environmental conditions datamay include weather conditions (e.g., air temperature and/or surfacetemperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and cloudcoverage) and sun position. The environmental conditions module 1134obtain forecast(s) of relevant environmental conditions (e.g.,interacting through the network interface module 1140 with a remoteforecast provider) and/or actual measurement(s) of relevantenvironmental conditions (e.g., interacting with one or more instruments(not shown) local to the expert system 1000, local to the remote device1200, 1300 and/or remote to both the expert system 1100 and the remotedevice 1200, 1300). The environmental conditions module 1134 may alsostore and/or compute temperature data for the exterior surface to bepainted. For instance, surface temperature may be computed, measureddirectly, or measured directly and thereafter computed to provide anexpected variability for a period of time such as a range oftemperatures, a maximum value (e.g., when application is expected whileair temperature is rising and/or sun is rising) and/or minimum value(e.g., when application is expected while air temperature is droppingand/or sun is setting).

FIG. 1 also shows examples of the storage system 1500 as a distinctdatabase system 1500A, a distinct module 1500B of the computer system1100, a sub-module 1500C of the memory module 1120 of the computersystem 1100, a sub-module 1500D of the paint compositions module 1132 ofthe computer system 1100 or a sub-module 1500E of the environmentalconditions module 1134 of the computer system 1100. The storage system1500 may be distributed over different systems A, B, C, D and/or E ormay be in a single system. The storage system 1500 may comprise one ormore logical or physical as well as local or remote hard disk drive(HDD) (or an array thereof). The storage system 1500 may furthercomprise a local or remote database made accessible to the computersystem 1100 by a standardized or proprietary interface or via thenetwork interface module 1140. The variants of storage system 1500usable in the context of the present invention will be readily apparentto persons skilled in the art.

Reference is now concurrently made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which show aflow chart of an exemplary method 2000 for computing an adjustmentprocedure for transforming a starting exterior waterborne paintcomposition comprising a plurality of base chemical compounds into anadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for an exterior surfaceto be painted on a specific date. A base value is associated with eachone of the plurality of base chemical compounds in the starting exteriorwaterborne paint composition.

The method 2000 comprises obtaining 2010 environmental conditions for apaint application site at geographical coordinates for the specific dateby the processing module 1130 of the expert system 1100. Theenvironmental conditions comprise relative humidity data for thegeographical coordinates and temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates. The environmental conditions may also comprise sun positiondata, expected cloud coverage data and/or wind speed value and winddirection or orientation value. The environmental conditions may beobtained 2010 from a weather forecast provider (e.g., government agency,public or private weather network, etc.). The environmental conditionsmay be obtained 2010 alternatively or in addition from a weatherinstruments and/or actual measurements. The environmental conditions mayalso be obtained 2010 by computing data stored at the expert system 1100and/or retrieved from the forecast provider and/or measurements by theexpert system 1100 (e.g., sun position data may be computed fromhistorical data and dew point may be computed from the relative humidityand temperature value). Skilled person will readily acknowledge thatproviding the dew point for the specific date may be sufficient tocompute the relevant relative humidity data. The environmentalconditions may be stored and retrieved and/or computed through theenvironmental conditions module 1134 of the expert system 1130.

In some embodiments, the environmental conditions are obtained 2010 onlyafter receiving 2002 a request for the adjustment procedure from aremote device 1200, 1300 through the network interface module 1140. Theexpert system 1100 may obtain 2010 the environmental conditions partlyor completely from the remote device 1200, 1300 (e.g., in the received2002 request or in association with the received 2002 request). Forinstance, one or more instruments (not shown) of the remote device 1200,1300 may be used in order to obtain at least some of the environmentalconditions. Alternatively, or in addition, the remote device 1200, 1300may communicate with the weather forecast provider (e.g., governmentagency, public or private weather network, etc.) and/or networkedweather instruments to obtain some or all of the environmentalconditions. The temperature data may also be represented by atemperature range.

The environmental conditions may be obtained 2010 for a default time onthe specific date (e.g., noon). The environmental conditions may beobtained 2010 as mean values, minimum values and/or maximum values forthe specific date or for one or more time periods on the specific date.For instance, the minimum and maximum temperature values may beobtained, the minimum and maximum relative humidity values may beobtained while only the maximum speed value is obtained and only themean wind orientation value is obtained. When the environmentalconditions are obtained 2010 for short time periods on the specific date(e.g., an hour or two hours), only means values may be required (e.g.,mean values every hour for the specific date). The time period(s) mayalso correspond to the morning, afternoon and/or night on the specificdate. The time periods may also be determined considering an expectedtime of application associated with one or more of the surfaces to bepainted at the paint application site. For instance, different surfacesmay be planned at different application times on the specific date andthe different periods may be set in accordance with the expectedapplication times (starting at 7:00 AM, for 2 hours→4 surface A;starting on 7:20, for 4 hours→4 surface B, starting at 12:00 PM, for 6hours→4 surface C, etc.). A maximum time period length may also be setin order to avoid too much gap between the highest and lowest values forone or more of the environmental conditions. For instance, each timeperiod may be limited to 2 hours.

In some embodiments, the environmental conditions 2010 are obtained onlyonce e.g., the day before the specific date (e.g., considering forecastonly) or on the specific date (e.g., considering forecast and/ormeasurements). In some embodiments, the environmental conditions 2010are obtained more than once (e.g., on the day before the specific dateand on the specific date). The adjustment procedure may be computedevery time the environmental conditions are obtained 2010 or may becomputed only when the environmental condition(s) obtained 2010 from oneor more forecasts are determined to be reliable (e.g., consideringforecast fluctuations throughout the period of time or throughout thespecific date and/or highest/lowest probability of precipitationvalue(s)).

Once the environmental conditions are obtained 2010 for the paintapplication site at the geographical coordinates for the specific dateby the processing module 1130 of the expert system 1100, the method 2000follows with step 2020. In the step 2020, The processing module 1130 ofthe expert system 1100 computing 2020 a target value for each of aplurality of target chemical compounds in an adjusted exteriorwaterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to be painted. Theplurality of target chemical compounds are computed 2020 based on theenvironmental conditions previously obtained 2010 and substrateidentification data for the exterior surface to be painted.Specifically, the plurality of target chemical compounds are computed2020 based at least on the relative humidity data for the specific datefor the geographical coordinates, the temperature data for the specificdate for the geographical coordinates and the substrate identificationdata for the specific date. Computing 2020 the plurality of targetvalues each associated with one of the plurality of target chemicalcompounds in the adjusted exterior paint composition may also beperformed considering an expected time of application for the specificdate. Whenever relevant, the expected time of application may bedetermined from the period of times, used for obtaining 2010 theenvironmental conditions or vice-versa (i.e., the period of times beingdetermined from the expected time of application).

In some embodiments, the method 2000 may also comprise obtaining (notshown) surface characteristics for the exterior surface to be paintedwith the adjusted exterior paint composition at the paint applicationsite. The surface characteristics comprises the substrate identificationdata and may further comprise sun position data for the geographicalcoordinates, a geographical alignment value of the exterior surface tobe painted and an actual and/or expected surface temperature for theexterior surface to be painted. Skilled persons will recognize that thesubstrate identification data may be obtained from one or more defaultvalues (i.e., the expert system 1100 is compatible with a single type ofsubstrate or only one type of substrate at a time), may be provided inthe received request 2002 or may otherwise be obtained by the expertsystem 1100 for the paint application site (e.g., provided by thecustomer or in database of historical contracts). The substrateidentification data may be associated to one or more starting paintcompositions. For instance, the substrate identification data maycomprise identification of the exterior surface to be painted as beingPVC cladding, aluminum cladding, wood, a pre-painted water-base surface,a pre-painted oil-base surface, etc. Each of a plurality of startingpaint compositions may be associated to each of the substrates.

The geographical alignment value of the exterior surface may be providedwith different degrees of granularity. For instance, the granularitymain be limited to North, South, East or West (or closest 90°). Asskilled person will recognize, the granularity could be set anywherebetween high precision (to 1°, 5°, 10°, etc.) up to 90°.

Computing 2020 the plurality of target values each associated with oneof the plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjusted exteriorpaint composition may further comprise computing (not shown), at theprocessing module 1130 of the expert system 1100, the actual and/orexpected surface temperature value of the surface characteristics forthe exterior surface considering the relative humidity data at thegeographical coordinates and the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates. Actual temperature of the surface to be painted may beobtained by direct measurement. For instance, an instrument may beapplied to a significant portion of the surface to be painted. theinstrument may be in communication with the remote device 1200/1300(e.g., short range wireless such as Bluetooth or wired) or the expertsystem 1100 (long range wireless such as WIFI or LTE or wired) or maysimply be read by a user to input a value into the Graphical userinterface of the remote device 1200/1300. Sun position data, expectedcloud coverage data and/or the expected time of application may furtherbe considered by the expert system 1100 when computing the expectedsurface temperature value of the surface characteristics for theexterior surface to be painted. Likewise, the wind speed value at thegeographical coordinates, the wind orientation value at the geographicalcoordinates and the geographical alignment value may be considered,alternatively or in addition, by the expert system 1100 when computingthe expected surface temperature value. The expected surface temperaturevalue may be represented by a temperature range. the temperature rangemay also be associated with a time range (e.g., between 23° C. and 26°C. between 10:00 and 12:00)

The method 2000 then continues by determining 2030 at the processingmodule 1130 of the exert system 1100 whether one or more base values ofthe starting exterior waterborne paint composition is different fromcorresponding target values as computed in 2020 by the expert system1100. When the plurality of target values is determined in 2030 to bedifferent from the plurality of base values, the method 2000 continuesby computing 2040, at the processing module 1130 of the expert system1100, an adjustment procedure for transforming the starting exteriorwaterborne paint composition into the adjusted exterior paintcomposition for the exterior surface to be painted. Once the procedureis computed 2040, the method continues with sending instructions 2050 tothe remote device. the instructions sent 2050 comprise the adjustmentprocedure for obtaining the adjusted exterior waterborne paintcomposition from the starting exterior waterborne paint composition forthe exterior surface to be painted.

In some embodiments, the adjustment procedure provides one or morevolumetric values for one or more corresponding adjustment compounds forthe plurality of target values to be determined equivalent to theplurality of base values. The plurality of target values may bedetermined equivalent to the plurality of base values when each of theplurality of base values is within corresponding tolerance interval(s).The method may then also comprise obtaining (not shown) a volume of acontainer for the starting exterior paint composition and the adjustmentprocedure may be absolute volumetric values for each the correspondingadjustment compounds. For instance, the adjustment compounds maycomprise a surfactant or wetting agent for adjusting surface tensioncharacteristics of the adjusted paint composition and/or a flow agentfor adjusting levelling characteristics of the adjusted paintcomposition. Some other adjustment compounds may include rheology agentor rheology modifier (e.g., paint thickener) and coalescing solvents orfilming agents (e.g., hydrophilic solvent, hydrophobic solvent).Different wetting, flow, rheology and/or filming agents (e.g., even fromthe same agent type, but having different “strength”, premix ofdifferent agents, etc.) may alternatively or concurrently be specifiedin the adjustment procedure.

In some embodiments, the adjustment procedure provides a suggestedduration of a mixing or shaking operation appropriately mixing theadjusted paint composition following addition of the adjustmentcompounds. The suggested duration may be set by default or may becomputed by the processing module 1130 of the expert system 1100considering the adjustment compounds added and/or total volume added(e.g., relative or absolute values).

The method 2000 may also optionally comprise associating (not shown) atolerance interval with each of the plurality of target values. Theplurality of target values is then determined 2030 different from theplurality of base values when at least one base value from the pluralityof base values is outside of the corresponding tolerance interval. Oneor more of the plurality of associated tolerance intervals may berelative values established in relation to the starting exterior paintcomposition, in relation to the adjusted exterior paint composition andin relation to the associated target value or the corresponding basevalue. One or more of the plurality of associated tolerance intervalsmay be an absolute volumetric value established in relation to a volumeof a container of the starting exterior paint composition or a remainingvolume estimated or measured (e.g., weighted or measured volume).

In some embodiments, the starting paint composition may be a previouslyadjusted (or may be roughly adjusted) paint composition. A subsequentadjustment procedure (or sequential adjustment procedure) may thenfurther be computed, i.e., similar to 2002-2050 with the previouslyadjusted paint composition as the starting paint composition. In such anexample, the subsequent adjustment procedure may also indicate one ormore adjustment compounds to be added. The subsequent adjustmentprocedure may yet also indicate to dilute the previously adjusted paintcomposition with a plain (i.e., non-adjusted) starting paint compositionand, in some cases, to afterwards add one or more adjustment compoundsfollowing dilution.

In some embodiments, the method 2000 may be executed 2050 more than oncefor additional exterior surface(s) to be painted at the paintapplication site. The method may therefore allow to transform thestarting exterior paint composition into a second adjusted exteriorpaint composition for a second exterior surface to be painted at thepaint application site at the geographical coordinates (e.g., a secondcontainer of the same starting composition or a different startingcomposition selected based on the substrate identification of the secondsurface). Obtaining the surface characteristics may therefore furthercomprise obtaining the surface characteristics for the second exteriorsurface to be painted with the second adjusted exterior paintcomposition at the paint application site, the surface characteristicscomprising the second substrate identification data, a secondgeographical alignment value and a second actual or expected surfacetemperature for the second exterior surface to be painted. For instancethe same instrument used to measure the actual temperature of the firstsurface may be used for measuring the temperature of the second surface.The second expected surface temperature value of the surfacecharacteristics may therefore be computed for the second exteriorsurface considering the relative humidity data at the geographicalcoordinates, the temperature data for the geographical coordinates andthe second geographical alignment value for the second exteriorsurfaces, and/or wind speed value at the geographical coordinates andwind orientation value at the geographical coordinates.

In some embodiments, the remote device 1200/1300 comprises a graphicaluser interface (not shown) for interacting with one or more users (notshown) and may also be a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a computer(e.g., portable or fixed to a mobile unit) or other multi-purposeprocessing device. The remote device 1200/1300 may also comprise anadjustment compound distribution module (not shown) for receiving theadjustment procedure and selectively adding one or more adjustmentcompounds to the starting exterior paint composition in accordance withthe adjustment procedure. The adjustment compound distribution modulemay be a module local to the remote device 1200/1300 (e.g., integratedtherewith) or may be a standalone module (not shown) in communicationwith the remote device 1200/1300 (e.g., using Bluetooth or othershort-range wireless protocol, over WIFI, over Ethernet, over USB,etc.). The remote device 1200/1300 may also comprise a paint mixer tooland/or paint shaker tool (not shown) for appropriately mixing theadjusted paint composition following addition of the adjustmentcompounds. Duration of the mixing or shaking operation may be controlledby the remote device 1200/1300, e.g., in accordance with the receivedadjustment procedure.

FIG. 3 shows a flow and nodal operation chart in accordance with anexemplary system 3000 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention for providing instructions to a user 3010 for adjusting astarting waterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to bepainted at a paint application site. The user 3010 has access to amobile device 1200 and an environment collection device 3020. Alsodepicted in the example of FIG. 3 are a weather provider 3030, a sunposition provider 3040 and a paint adjustment expert system 1100. Themobile device 1200 may comprise the environment collection device 3020(e.g., as a sub-module) or the environment collection device 3020 may bea standalone device. Likewise, weather and sun position may be providedby external providers 3030/3040 as depicted but may also be providedcompletely or partially (e.g., validated by external providers) by themobile device 1200 and/or the environment collection device 3020.

In the example of FIG. 3, the user 3010 provides the mobile device 1200with paint product data 3100. The paint product data may, for instance,identify the starting paint composition (e.g., by trademark and/or bychemical characteristics; providing volume or weight of paint, etc.) andone or more available adjustment compounds (e.g., by trademark and/or bychemical characteristics). The user 3010 may also input a specific datefor the paint application or current date may be used. The user 3010 mayalso input an expected time for the paint application or current timemay be used. The user 3010 may also input (not shown) a location for apaint application site. The location, date and/or time may also beobtained by the mobile device 1200 (e.g., using a GPS module thereof)and/or by the environment collection device 3020 (e.g., using a GPSmodule thereof). The location of the paint application site as well asadditional information concerning the paint application site (e.g.,number of exterior surfaces, substrate identification, alignment ofexterior surfaces, etc.) may also be provided by the user 3010 and/orretrieved (not shown) from a database storing site-specific information.The location or another identifier (civic address, client name, etc.)may be used to retrieve the site-specific data from the database storingsite-specific information.

In some embodiments, the user 3010 requests environmental conditionsdata 3110 to the environment collection device 3020. The environmentcollection device 3020 may then obtain data from the weather provider3030 and the sun position provider 3040 before returning the requestedenvironmental conditions data. The user 3010 may also directly request(not shown) the weather data from the weather data provider 3030 and thesun position data from the sun position provider 3040. In theseembodiments, the user 3010 then provides the obtained environmentalconditions data to the mobile device 1200 in a request for paint advice3200.

Alternatively to obtaining the environmental conditions data by the user3010, the user 3010 may send the request for paint advice 3200 withoutenvironmental conditions data. As a first option, the mobile device 1200may then request 3114 environmental conditions data from the environmentcollection device 3020, the weather provider 3030 and the sun positionprovider 3040. The mobile device 1200 may alternatively request theenvironmental conditions data (not shown) from the environmentcollection device 3020, which may then in turn obtain data from theweather provider 3030 and the sun position provider 3040 beforereturning the requested environmental conditions data. The mobile device1200 then sends a request 3222 for paint advice to the paint adjustmentexpert system 1100 with the obtained environmental conditions data. As asecond option, the mobile device 1200 may send a request 3220 for paintadvice to the paint adjustment expert system 1100 without environmentalconditions data. The paint adjustment expert system 1100 may thenrequest 3112 environmental conditions data from the environmentcollection device 3020, the weather provider 3030 and the sun positionprovider 3040. The paint adjustment expert system 1100 may alternativelyrequest the environmental conditions data (not shown) from theenvironment collection device 3020, which may then in turn obtain datafrom the weather provider 3030 and the sun position provider 3040.

The paint adjustment expert system 1100 may receive (not shown) aspecific date of application and/or an expected time of application ormay alternatively, or by default if none are received, use the currentdate and time. A default time may also be predetermined (e.g., noon) oronly the specific date without expected time may be used by the paintadjustment expert system 1100. The paint adjustment expert system 1100may also obtain (not shown) a location for a paint application site(e.g., from a database storing site-specific information, from themobile device 1200 (e.g., using a GPS module thereof) and/or by theenvironment collection device 3020 (e.g., using a GPS module thereof)).The location of the paint application site as well as additionalinformation concerning the paint application site (e.g., number ofexterior surfaces, substrate identification, alignment of exteriorsurfaces, etc.) may also be obtained (not shown) by the paint adjustmentexpert system 1100 from the database storing site-specific information.The location or another identifier (civic address, client name, etc.)may be used to retrieve the site-specific data from the database storingsite-specific information.

Once the paint adjustment expert system 1100 obtains the environmentalconditions data together with location and other relevant informationfor the paint application site, an adjustment procedure is computed bythe paint adjustment expert system 1100. Instructions are then sent 3300therefrom towards the mobile device 1200 comprising the adjustmentprocedure for obtaining the adjusted exterior waterborne paintcomposition from the starting exterior waterborne paint composition forthe exterior surface to be painted. The mobile device 1200 then providesthe instructions 3310 to the user 3010 (e.g., using a Graphical UserInterface (GUI) thereof). As mentioned with reference to other examples,some or all of the steps depicted on FIG. 3 may be repeated fordifferent application sites, repeated for different surfaces at a singlepaint application site and/or repeated for a single surface at differenttime.

A method is generally conceived to be a self-consistent sequence ofsteps leading to a desired result. These steps require physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic/electromagneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, andotherwise manipulated. It is convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as data, bits,values, parameters, items, elements, objects, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like. It should be noted, however, that all ofthese terms and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to thesequantities. The description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variationswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodimentswere chosen to explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the invention in order to implement various embodiments withvarious modifications as might be suited to other contemplated uses.

What is claimed is:
 1. An expert system for computing an adjustmentprocedure for obtaining an adjusted exterior waterborne paintcomposition for an exterior surface to be painted at a paint applicationsite, the system comprising: a non-transitory memory comprising at leastone record corresponding to a starting exterior waterborne paintcomposition comprising a plurality of base chemical compounds, a basevalue being associated with each one of the plurality of base chemicalcompounds in the starting exterior waterborne paint composition; aprocessing module comprising one or more processors; a network interfacemodule comprising one or more physical network interface; —a first setof software instructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, the firstset of software instructions, when executed by the processing module,obtain environmental conditions for the paint application site atgeographical coordinates, the environmental conditions comprisingrelative humidity data for the geographical coordinates and temperaturedata for the geographical coordinates; a second set of softwareinstructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, the second set ofsoftware instructions, when executed by the processing module, compute,based on the relative humidity data for the geographical coordinates,the temperature data for the geographical coordinates and substrateidentification data for the exterior surface to be painted, a targetvalue for each of a plurality of target chemical compounds in anadjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for the exterior surfaceto be painted; a third set of software instructions, stored in thenon-transitory memory, the third set of software instructions, whenexecuted by the processing module, determine when the plurality oftarget values is different from the plurality of base values; —a fourthset of software instructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, thefourth set of software instructions, when executed by the processingmodule upon determination that plurality of target values is differentfrom the plurality of base values: compute an adjustment procedure fortransforming the starting exterior waterborne paint composition into theadjusted exterior paint composition for the exterior surface to bepainted.
 2. The expert system of claim 1, wherein computing theplurality of target values each associated with one of the plurality oftarget chemical compounds in the adjusted exterior paint composition isperformed considering an expected time of application.
 3. The expertsystem of claim 1, further comprising a fifth set of softwareinstructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, the fifth set ofsoftware instructions, when executed by the processing module, obtainsurface characteristics for the exterior surface to be painted with theadjusted exterior paint composition at the paint application site, thesurface characteristics comprising the substrate identification data,sun position data for the geographical coordinates, a geographicalalignment value of the exterior surface to be painted and a surfacetemperature for the exterior surface to be painted.
 4. The expert systemof claim 3, wherein the environmental conditions further comprise, forthe geographical coordinates, wind speed value and wind orientationvalue and wherein computing the plurality of target values eachassociated with one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in theadjusted exterior paint composition further comprises computing thesurface temperature value of the surface characteristics for theexterior surface considering the relative humidity data at thegeographical coordinates, the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates, the wind speed value at the geographical coordinates, thewind orientation value at the geographical coordinates and thegeographical alignment value.
 5. The expert system of claim 3, fortransforming the starting exterior paint composition into a secondadjusted exterior paint composition for a second exterior surface to bepainted at the paint application site at the geographical coordinates,further comprising: a sixth set of software instructions, stored in thenon-transitory memory, the sixth set of software instructions, whenexecuted by the processing module, compute, based on the environmentalconditions and substrate identification data for the second exteriorsurface to be painted, a second plurality of target values eachassociated with one of the plurality of target chemical compounds in thesecond adjusted exterior paint composition for the second exteriorsurface to be painted; —a seventh set of software instructions, storedin the non-transitory memory, the seventh set of software instructions,when executed by the processing module upon determination that thesecond plurality of target values is different from the plurality ofbase values: compute at the processing module of the expert system asecond adjustment procedure for transforming the starting exterior paintcomposition into the second adjusted exterior paint composition for thesecond exterior surface to be painted.
 6. The expert system of claim 1,wherein computing the plurality of target values each associated withone of the plurality of target chemical compounds in the adjustedexterior paint composition further comprises computing an expectedsurface temperature value of the surface characteristics for theexterior surface considering the relative humidity data at thegeographical coordinates and the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates.
 7. The expert system of claim 6, wherein the environmentalconditions further comprise, for the geographical coordinates, sunposition data and expected cloud coverage data and wherein computing theexpected surface temperature value is performed further considering anexpected time of application, the sun position data and the expectedcloud coverage data.
 8. The expert system of claim 1, furthercomprising, a fifth set of software instructions, stored in thenon-transitory memory, the fifth set of software instructions, whenexecuted by the processing module, associate a tolerance interval witheach of the plurality of target values, wherein the plurality of targetvalues is determined different from the plurality of base values when atleast one base value from the plurality of base values is outside of thecorresponding tolerance interval.
 9. The expert system of claim 8,wherein the plurality of associated tolerance interval is a relativevalue established in relation to the starting exterior paintcomposition, the adjusted exterior paint composition and the associatedtarget value or a corresponding base value.
 10. The expert system ofclaim 9, wherein one or more of the plurality of associated toleranceinterval is an absolute volumetric value established in relation to avolume of a container of the starting exterior paint composition. 11.The expert system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of target values isdetermined equivalent to the plurality of base values when each of theplurality of base values is within the corresponding tolerance interval.12. The expert system of claim 11, further comprising a sixth set ofsoftware instructions, stored in the non-transitory memory, the sixthset of software instructions, when executed by the processing module,obtain a volume of a container for the starting exterior paintcomposition, wherein the adjustment one or more volumetric values areabsolute volumetric values for each the corresponding adjustmentcompounds.
 13. The expert system of claim 1, wherein the adjustmentprocedure provides one or more volumetric values for one or morecorresponding adjustment compounds for the plurality of target values tobe determined equivalent to the plurality of base values.
 14. A methodfor transforming a starting exterior waterborne paint compositioncomprising a plurality of base chemical compounds into an adjustedexterior waterborne paint composition for an exterior surface to bepainted, a base value being associated with each one of the plurality ofbase chemical compounds in the starting exterior waterborne paintcomposition, the method comprising: at a processing module of an expertsystem, obtaining environmental conditions for a paint application siteat geographical coordinates, the environmental conditions comprisingrelative humidity data for the geographical coordinates and temperaturedata for the geographical coordinates; —computing at the processingmodule of the expert system, based on the relative humidity data for thegeographical coordinates, the temperature data for the geographicalcoordinates and substrate identification data for the exterior surfaceto be painted, a target value for each of a plurality of target chemicalcompounds in the adjusted exterior waterborne paint composition for theexterior surface to be painted; when the plurality of target values isdetermined different from the plurality of base values: computing at theprocessing module of the expert system an adjustment procedure fortransforming the starting exterior waterborne paint composition into theadjusted exterior paint composition for the exterior surface to bepainted.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein computing the plurality oftarget values each associated with one of the plurality of targetchemical compounds in the adjusted exterior paint composition isperformed considering an expected time of application.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprises obtaining surface characteristics for theexterior surface to be painted with the adjusted exterior paintcomposition at the paint application site, the surface characteristicscomprising the substrate identification data, sun position data for thegeographical coordinates, a geographical alignment value of the exteriorsurface to be painted and a surface temperature for the exterior surfaceto be painted.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprisingassociating a tolerance interval with each of the plurality of targetvalues, wherein the plurality of target values is determined differentfrom the plurality of base values when at least one base value from theplurality of base values is outside of the corresponding toleranceinterval.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of targetvalues is determined equivalent to the plurality of base values wheneach of the plurality of base values is within the correspondingtolerance interval.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjustmentprocedure provides one or more volumetric values for one or morecorresponding adjustment compounds for the plurality of target values tobe determined equivalent to the plurality of base values.